What can I feed them?

[KikiDeAnime]

My dad screwed up when he bought 2 bags of feed two weeks ago and got the pellet ones instead of the crumbles that our chickens love. I had just opened one up today to feed the flock in the morning. I noticed the chickens were picking pieces up but then dropping them and walking around like they looking for the real food. The ducks were eating away at the pellets so it wasn't wasted.
My dad won't buy a new bag until these ones run out so I'm stuck on what to do.

They currently free range so they do eat what they find, which is mostly what they pick out of our compost pile. Once a week we throw out a few scraps to them to eat as well. I just threw out some scraps yesterday so they can't get more until next week.

What can I give the chickens until we get them a new bag of feed?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Try making the pellets into a mash.

How much you will need to make will depend on how many birds you are feeding.
To try it out out one quart of pellets and 2 quarts of hot water in a big bowl. Stir them let sit ten minutes so the pellets absorb the water. Depending on how soupy it is you may need to add a handful more of dry or another cup of water. You want it to be like thick cooked oatmeal consistency.
You can serve it in an old pie tin or plastic feed dish. Even old cool whip tubs work well.

Don't mix a huge batch so you aren't having waste.

Worth a try.

Mine get this every morning and prefer it over any other food item including treats.

 

[RoosterML]

My dad screwed up when he bought 2 bags of feed two weeks ago and got the pellet ones instead of the crumbles that our chickens love. I had just opened one up today to feed the flock in the morning. I noticed the chickens were picking pieces up but then dropping them and walking around like they looking for the real food. The ducks were eating away at the pellets so it wasn't wasted.
My dad won't buy a new bag until these ones run out so I'm stuck on what to do.

They currently free range so they do eat what they find, which is mostly what they pick out of our compost pile. Once a week we throw out a few scraps to them to eat as well. I just threw out some scraps yesterday so they can't get more until next week.

What can I give the chickens until we get them a new bag of feed?

The chickens will eventually eat it don’t worry. I prefer pellets myself for my flock. You could always run them quickly in a food processor if you so wish.

 

[azygous]

You may not be aware of this, but crumbles start out at the mill as pellets. Then the mill grinds them up into crumbles for customers that desire feed in that form.

Therefore, if you have a food processor, or a coffee grinder, or even just a hammer, you can make your own crumbles and everyone ends up HAPPY!

Or try placing the pellets in some empty feed bags and running back and forth over them with a car or truck or even a riding lawn mower. Be resourceful and creative. It can be a hoot.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The chickens will eventually eat it don’t worry. I prefer pellets myself for my flock. You could always run them quickly in a food processor if you so wish.

Good idea to try crushing them up. Maybe in a zipper bag using a rolling pin if the food processor isn't an option.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Try making the pellets into a mash.

How much you will need to make will depend on how many birds you are feeding.
To try it out out one quart of pellets and 2 quarts of hot water in a big bowl. Stir them let sit ten minutes so the pellets absorb the water. Depending on how soupy it is you may need to add a handful more of dry or another cup of water. You want it to be like thick cooked oatmeal consistency.
You can serve it in an old pie tin or plastic feed dish. Even old cool whip tubs work well.

Don't mix a huge batch so you aren't having waste.

Worth a try.

Mine get this every morning and prefer it over any other food item including treats.

Thank you. I'll make a small batch to see which of the hens will eat it.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I agree with the previous posts. I like pellet form and find it makes for much less wasted feed in my flocks. Pellets are much easier for my ducks as well because they eat so quickly that the crumbles kind of choke them. You've been given some wonderful advice from some of the best

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you. I'll make a small batch to see which of the hens will eat it.

Crushing them up as others suggested might work really well too.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Try making the pellets into a mash.

How much you will need to make will depend on how many birds you are feeding.
To try it out out one quart of pellets and 2 quarts of hot water in a big bowl. Stir them let sit ten minutes so the pellets absorb the water. Depending on how soupy it is you may need to add a handful more of dry or another cup of water. You want it to be like thick cooked oatmeal consistency.
You can serve it in an old pie tin or plastic feed dish. Even old cool whip tubs work well.

Don't mix a huge batch so you aren't having waste.

Worth a try.

Mine get this every morning and prefer it over any other food item including treats.

This is my birds favorite treat! I make it every night to top everyone up with full crops before bed and they LOVE it. Many of them will pace around waiting impatiently for it. A while back I was going overboard with treats and ended up with an unhealthy flock. I found that they like this better than treats and I can offer them as much as they want to eat.

 

[21hens-incharge]

This is my birds favorite treat! I make it every night to top everyone up with full crops before bed and they LOVE it. Many of them will pace around waiting impatiently for it. A while back I was going overboard with treats and ended up with an unhealthy flock. I found that they like this better than treats and I can offer them as much as they want to eat.

I started using this when I ended up with a cross beak bird. Poor thing didn't start crossing until she was 6 weeks old. She is 4 now and doing well ..... As long as I give wet mash she gets plenty food in.